Free Events and Programs

Join us all summer long in branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island for a wide array of free events and programs for all ages! Look out for our book giveaway events in branches.

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Summer Staff Picks

Our expert librarians have curated a wide array of fun, thought-provoking, and inspiring books for all ages to read this summer! Check out these books for adults, including fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and libros en español! Many are also available in accessible formats.

Explore the List

  • LIVE from NYPL

    Join us for free events at The New York Public Library’s premier cultural series. Enjoy free events, conversations, and performances featuring the best writers, artists, and thinkers—as well as our monthly rooftop happy hours! Check out listings for events at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), and Bryant Park in Manhattan, and online.

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  • Free Exhibitions at the Library

    The New York Public Library offers free major exhibitions and special displays at three of its research library locations—the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Library for the Performing Arts, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture—as well as community showcases at branch locations throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Explore our exhibitions, including the landmark Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures, which showcases some of the most extraordinary items from the 56 million in our collections.

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Culture Pass: Get Free Access to NYC Museums with a Library Card

Explore New York City’s museums and attractions with Culture Pass! If you have a library card, you can get free admission to dozens of cultural institutions. Save money and discover more about your city this summer.

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Download Free Activities!

Looking for some summer fun? Download and print a crossword, maze, and adult coloring sheets featuring images from the Library’s Digital Collections!

Download

Stay Connected

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  • Library Cards

    Join your library community! New Yorkers can access millions of books, e-books, digital resources, and more—all FREE with a New York Public Library card.

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  • Did You Know?

    There are no more late fines at the Library—and all old fines have been removed—so you can borrow books and more from any branch with no worries!

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  • Friends of the Library

    The New York Public Library depends on donors like you to support our essential services. Friends of the Library will be vital as we expand access to our resources, including job help, community outreach, and language learning materials. Make a membership gift now and enjoy benefits all year long.

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  • E-Books & Audiobooks

    Download SimplyE, the Library's free e-reader app, which makes it easy to borrow e-books and audiobooks from a catalog of more than 300,000 titles.

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  • Personalized Book Bundles

    Tell us what you like to read and we’ll handpick a personalized book bundle just for you! Get Shelf Help in open branches, online, or by calling Ask NYPL on 917-ASK-NYPL.

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  • NYPL App

    With the NYPL app, you can access everything the Library has to offer from home or while you’re on the go. Information available in:

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Explore Summer at the Library

Discover oceans of possibility at The New York Public Library this summer with free events and programs for all ages, book giveaways, our all-new Make Waves program for kids and teens, reading recommendations, and much more!

Explore Summer at the Library for all ages in español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), বাংলা (Bengali), Русский (Russian), and English.

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Thank You

The Book Giveaway is supported in part by a generous grant from the Gray Foundation. 

Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2022 city-wide sponsor for the Summer Reading and Learning Programs.

Additional support is provided by The Rona Jaffe Foundation; New York Yankees Foundation; anonymous donors; and the continuing major support of the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences.

Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.

Logos for: the Gray Foundation, the New York Life Foundation, The Rona Jaffe Foundation, New York Yankees Foundation, and Summer Reading at New York Libraries.